Koreans pose serious threat to Gilas bid

MANILA, Philippines - South Korea, a possible quarterfinals matchup for Gilas Pilipinas in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, continued to make good impression in the Jones Cup, upending a US selection, 85-79, Monday for a third straight win in the Taipei invitational tourney.

Lee Seung-jun, Kim Sun-hyung and Cho Sung-min scored at least 12 points each as the Koreans made it three in a row following earlier wins over Egypt and Taipei-B.

Korea, third placer in the last Asian meet in Wuhan, China, was set to test its mettle against an Asian rival – Lebanon – last night.

The Jones Cup is a key part of the Koreans’ FIBA Asia buildup with the tourney also serving as the final stage of tryout for Lee (formerly Eric Sandrin) and Moon Tae Young (Greg Stevenson), both holding dual citizenship papers.

Under the revised FIBA statutes, Lee and Moon are considered naturalized players just like Chris Ellis, Cliff Hodge and other new Fil-foreign players.

The Koreans are fielding either Lee or Moon as their naturalized player in the coming Manila Asian meet that serves as regional elimination for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Korea had considered many other Korean-Americans for the job before narrowing the choice between Lee and Moon.

Lee put in 13 markers in playing key role in their six-point win over the Americans, led by Haywood Owens with 16 points, Curtis Marshall with 14 and Ed Horton with 14.

Lee helped the Koreans build a 13-point lead in the third quarter before keeping the Americans at bay to the finish.

Iran returned from its Sunday break repulsing Taipei B, 77-64, while Egypt crushed Japan, 64-59, and Lebanon dumped Taipei A, 83-63.

Fadi El-Khatib sizzled with 18 points while Ali Mahmoud, Mohammed Ibrahim, Ali Haidar and Ami Saoud chipped in double-digit outputs as Lebanon caught up with the host team, and Egypt at third place at 2-1 behind Korea (3-0) and Iran (2-0).

Naturalized players Quincy Davis again stood at the forefront of Taipei’s bid, pouring in 23 points.

Taipei B was at 1-2 while Jordan (0-2), USA (0-2) and Japan (0-3) through the first three play dates of the tourney.

Taipei and Jordan, together with Saudi Arabia, are first-round opponents of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia event. Lebanon and Japan, meanwhile, are among Gilas’ likely rivals in the second round.